A few days ago, journalist Paula Alvarado wrote a lovely post about Via Nativa on Treehugger.com. TreeHugger has been my one-stop shop for green news in 2008 and Paula’s weekly articles about green issues in Argentina and Latin America are among my favorites.

We want to thank Paula! and we invite you all to view her article about Via Nativa Fair Trade.

-v

Visit us at this week’s Holiday Markets and find one-of-a-kind gift items that are made in accordance with fair trade standards. Find home accessories, jewelry, knitwear and more! Most items range from $10 to $50.

Grace United Methodist Church
33 Seventh Ave. (b/t Sterling & John’s Pl.) Park Slope
Friday 12, 2008
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

NYC Fair Trade Holiday Fair
Judson Memorial Church
239 Thompson St.
Saturday 13, 2008
10:00 am – 3:00pm

Hope to see you there!

-vanesa

Yes, Via Nativa has been accepted by Co-op America and we are extremely happy to be one of just a few fair trade businesses in New York City to be approved by the network.

A few months ago we learned about this not-for profit organization that helps socially and environmentally responsible businesses emerge and we thought it would be wonderful if Via Nativa could take part in this green network.

We are very proud of our membership and we plan on continuing our efforts for economic justice for artisans through fair trade.

For more information please visit Co-op America

-vanesa.

A Casa Fox has invited Via Nativa to show the newest lines from Argentina and of course favorites from Nicaragua for the holiday season.  Receive a free gift with purchase!

Join us Saturday, 29 November at 12:30 pm for a Latin fused brunch of mint mimosas and savory mini empanadas at the only Nicaraguan inspired restaurant in all of New York City!

A Casa Fox is located on 173 Orchard St.  View Map

Here’s a link to the article I’ve meaning to blog about for a while.  NY Times, 14 September 2008

Potters for Peace or Ceramica por la Paz is an organization based in Nicaragua which we have worked with to create tea cups, mugs and espresso cups.  Last September Potters for Peace was mentioned in an article about a determined, yet incredibly practical man, Ron Rivera.  Along with Potters for Peace he produced ceramic water filters to purify water in countries where a strong percentage of the population does not have daily access to clean, potable water.  He lived in Managua, Nicaragua since the 80’s and passed away in early September.

Ron Rivera

Please read the article which I archived above.  It goes into greater depth about his achievements and work with Potters for peace.

Martin Robleto of Potters for Peace

When we started our work with artisans exactly two years ago; Martin (pronounced, Martine) was one of the first we met and collaborated with in Nicaragua.  Potters for peace is an organization which commenced as a result of the Iran Contra Affair.  …Where to put it simply, pro-socialist or Sandanistas and anti-socialists or Contras fought against each other in the 80’s.  It is estimated that 30,000 Nicaraguans died in the war.  The organization is almost entirely run by Veterans of the “Contra” war in Nicaragua, hence the name Potters for Peace.

Here are some of the ceramics we have created with Potters for Peace:

'Artisan' Mugs: great for tea, or a nice cold beer Sold Out

Espresso Cups

Tea Cups With Filter

Paz,

Alessandra

A year ago today, I decided to explore the northwestern provinces of Argentina. I was on a quest to find skilled artisans and eager to immerse myself in their world. My trip lasted a little more than four weeks and took me all around Jujuy, Salta and Tucuman where I met a handful of artisans either working independently or in cooperatives. Today our knit accessories are all made in Jujuy by the artisans I met during this trip. For artisans in Jujuy, knitting is a treasured expression of their culture and an important tradition, passed from generation to generation.
Here are some landscape photos of Jujuy and shots of artisan Asunción on a foot loom making some llama fiber scarves for Via Nativa.

A year later I find myself again in Argentina but this time in Bs As. In my first few days here I had to meet Luján Cambariere who wrote a fabulous article about Via Nativa in the Argentine newspaper Pagina12. In Argentina Luján Cambariere is a renowned journalist specializing in design and half of the design duo Satori Lab.

I highly recommend reading up on the Satori duo but to give you a brief introduction, Satori Lab conducts collective design workshops with students of every design branch and experiments with recycled materials, to create funky design objects. Each workshop has a topic about essential values of life and challenges students to think collectively and through their hands.

For more information please visit Satori Lab and Pagina12

-vanesa

Before the event, I complied all of my Nicaraguan photos.  I put together a film about my experience as a volunteer working in an NGO in Managua and then as a business owner traveling and working with artisans in Nicaragua.

The event went well; I’m sure I convinced a few couples to make the trip to Nicaragua!

We had Nicaraguan beer, and friole molido (a yummy, typical Nicaraguan food — Mashed red beans).

Thanks to all of you who came out!

-Alessandra

Nicaraguan tapestries as place mats

Nicaraguan handmade items for sale

Via Nativa exhibiting at Brooklyn Collective in October!

This is a diverse collective owned by two women.  Brooklyn Collective will celebrate 4 years next month!  There will be a huge party to welcome all new designers to the shop!  They are also celebrating 4 years!!

Save the date!

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

198 Columbia Street (between Sackett and Degraw)

Work will be on view at the gallery from 6-10 pm

The reception will be held at Mazzatt Mediterranean Kitchen, 200 Columbia Street
Free wine and beer 9:30 pm-Till we run out
PLUS! A special performance by Tattoo Girl Burlesque

Featured artists include Jenny Belin, Lauren Bordes, Jill Malek, Benjamin Edmiston, Tattoo Girl Lingerie, Via Nativa, Lewis Williams, David Aloia, Jess Yam, Alexandra Batsford, Tessa Phillips, Rachel Goldberg and Knox

Click on the image below to RSVP

We hope neighbors and passersby of this quaint little shop will love and appreciate our fair trade, handwoven pine needle bowls, wood jewelry, and chaguar bags and belts!

Today we’ll start reducing prices on select Via Nativa items to make way for our new home accessories collection.

Items on sale at Urban Alchemist: September 10th -30th.

Add beauty and functionality to any desk or dresser with our sleek and modern Cocobolo and Sincho wood bowls, Cocobolo cups and horn picture frames.

All wood items are hand-crafted in Nicaragua and are one-of-a-kind.

Cow Horn Frame is hand-crafted in Salta, Argentina.